The Art of Keeping Faith by Anna Bloom Read Free Book Online Page A

be a frightfully posh affair. She is having eight bridesmaids.”
    “Ben is looking rather handsome at the moment, let’s hope he does not attract a new girlfriend.”
    My Responses:
    “I did nothing to Meredith. Why does everyone try and blame me when alcohol is involved?”
    “No, mother I haven’t.” (It just involves being naked)
    “I think I actually did fairly well. You know, considering the circumstances.”
    “Thanks for bringing that up at the table, Mum, in front of everyone.”
    “I don’t think one is going to make a huge amount of difference. Maybe you shouldn’t have another gin because you are a looking a little bit squiffy around the edges.”
    “He is getting what! We only split up a few months ago, how bloody rude! Eight bridesmaids, my frickin’ arse.”
    “Shtistan, shy shwant shto shgo shome.”
    Valerie McCannon strikes again.
    Taylor Swift is singing “Never Grow Up,” and to be honest I don’t think she is far from wrong.
    7th October
    I’ve been searching around for ten minutes trying to find matching socks amongst our dirty washing on the floor.
    Ben is watching me from the bed, his head propped in his hand, a wicked smirk on his face. “Lilah why have you been walking around stark naked for ten full minutes?”
    “Why? Is it a scary sight?”
    “Nope, I am just wondering what you are doing?”
    “Looking for socks.” I state. Surely it’s bloody obvious what I am doing.
    “Is there any reason you are doing it naked?”
    “I have to put my socks on first.”
    Ben crinkles the freckles at me. “I know, that’s why I have hidden all the clean socks.” He reaches into his drawer and pulls out a clean matching pair.
    “Very funny, Chambers.”
    I am living in a state of perfect undomestic bliss. I would never wear clean socks again if it meant that I could spend every moment the way I am with Ben right now.
    A state of undomestic bliss. There is no greater state to be in.
    8th October
    Undomestic bliss leaves a lot to be desired. End of.
    Ben did not come home last night. Off he went to meet Dave and the others and he never came back. I got a cryptic phone call just as I was power bleaching the kitchen.
    I was keen not to sound like a control freak, irrational girlfriend and I knew his mates would be listening so I just answered something along the lines of, “That’s nice, dear, you guys have lots of fun. I will see you tomorrow.”
    It was after I hung up the phone I realised Ben had forgotten to mention where he was.
    At this point I became a control freak, irrational girlfriend.
    9.35 a.m.
    In class. Still no Ben.
    Where the hell is he?
    10.03 a.m.
    Ben’s just trooped in looking incredibly sheepish as he apologised to the lecturer before going straight to his desk.
    The blues have not looked my way once. What does that mean?
    I elbow Meredith and shoot her a questioning look. She just shrugs back. Very helpful.
    When everyone starts to look at the sources and conversation opens up in the room I swivel in my seat to look at Ben.
    My plan is to be angry but the moment I look at him I feel something else. Worry. A knot of it starts to tighten in the pit of my stomach. The blues stare at me, waiting for me to speak or shout.
    “What’s up?” I ask attempting nonchalance, but my voice tightens as I speak.
    “Everything’s fine, Lilah.” The blues hold mine.
    “Liar,” I whisper, turning back around in my seat.
    What’s he done?
    It is all I can think. I do not look at the source. I do not talk to Meredith, who is sitting silently by my side. I do not pay any attention to the lecturer’s wise insight into the diary document from the Industrial Revolution.
    I only have one thought. What has he done?
    Did he do something with Mihraandah? My very worst nightmare. Or did he make a mistake with someone else? It must be something pretty bad for his eyes, more familiar than my own, to turn to ice and look distant.
    As soon as the bell sounds, I jump out of my chair